A tiny leprechaun swooped down from his rainbow and brought us a gift: SNOW.
The National Weather Service is predicting that some areas of North Lake Tahoe could receive up to 7 feet or more of snow by Sunday. So head to your favorite NLT resort lodge, enjoy an Irish Coffee and hit the slopes… or maybe that’s the other way around.
Check out all of NLT’s St. Patty’s Events taking place this Saturday:
St. Patty’s Twilight Ski, Homewood Mountain Resort Guests are invited to hit the slopes from 4-7 p.m. (after the resort typically closes) via the Quail triple chair in addition to daytime skiing and riding. The Resort is also offering commemorative St. Patrick’s Day T-shirts, green beer, corned beef and cabbage and a hidden pot o’ gold this St. Patty’s Day.
Ski Green, Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe The resort is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a party including food and beverage specials, as well as the resort’s Pot O’ Gold Poker Run from 10-11:30 a.m.
St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt and Apres Party – Northstar California 1:30 – 3 pm – Join Northstar California and EpicMix for the first ever St. Patrick’s Day EpicMix Scavenger Hunt. Join fellow EpicMixers in an on-mountain scavenger hunt, compete in challenges, earn EpicMix pins, and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Solve riddles to unlock special EpicMix virtual pins in various locations throughout Northstar.
3:30 – 4:30 pm – After the big “hunt” head to the Lodge at Big Springs at mid-mountain for an Epic après party where each scavenger hunt participant will receive a free slice of pizza and 14 oz. beer or soda. We will also hold a raffle and celebrate green the color of St. Patrick’s Day and EpicMix in true style. Prizes will be given to most visible green outfit and best Irish-themed outfit.
BARmuda Triangle St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, Lakeside Tahoe City 4:30 pm – 2 am – Lakeside joins Jake’s on the Lake & Hacienda del Lago for a blow-out event. The fun starts at Jake’s with traditional Irish food all day (also Lunch/Café/Dinner), Happy Hour discounts 4:30-6:30 pm and live music with Mark Wilson at 6 pm. The party continues at Hacienda del Lago (upstairs) with live funk “Terraplane” 9:30 pm-2 am, and L.A. DJ Dre Tuna at Lakeside (next door) 10 pm-2 am. Bar hop to enjoy Bush-Mills Girls, music and drink specials all night at all three venues!
Jake’s On The Lake 530-583-018, Hacienda 530-581-3700, Lakeside 530-583-2000
St. Patricks Day Celebration – Alpine Meadows, Tahoe City 9 am – 5 pm – Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Alpine! Ski the green slopes, dress in green, and search for the hidden pot of gold! They will be hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party to remember – complete with Irish food, drink specials and live music by the Nibblers.
St Patrick’s Snowshoe Search for the Pot O’ Gold 10 am – Tahoe Mountain Sports and the TRTA are teaming up for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration. There is hidden treasure buried in the snow and it’s up to you to locate each pot o’gold. This is a fun family event where everyone is a winner. Strap on your snowshoes this St. Patrick’s Day and stretch your sleuth skills. Call 775-298-0231 for more information. The event is free but registration is required.
9pm – Tickets available now. After party in the Crown Room. The Last Bluegrass co-bill was so great, the club decided to do it again with the same format. Each band will do a set and then an encore jam together. Do not miss this St. Paddy’s day throw-down.
St. Patrick’s Day- Lenny the Leprechaun on the Slopes at Squaw Valley Celebrate the holiday at Squaw Valley with all of your favorite Irish traditions! Ski the green ski slopes, dance to Irish music on the KT Base Bar, and enjoy festive drink specials including GREEN beer! Catch Lenny the Leprechaun on the slopes with his pot of gold!
Pot O’ Gold Hunt, Sugar Bowl Ski Resort The annual Pot O’ Gold hunt is on. Find clues scattered around the mountain which will lead you to the famous gold pot containing a Summit Sunday pass for 2012/2013!
We’re enjoying perfect conditions for skiing, boarding, tubing or building snowmen on the beach this week, with clear, sunny skies and highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s.
Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe has selected Chute Gates open, including Cutthroat, Lowball, Miller Time and Beehive. Did you know the Chutes offer 1,500 feet of vertical at 40-55 degrees? Pretty epic.
Squaw Valley continues with Kid-O-Rama through Sunday, Feb. 26 with a Dance Party on Ice, Big Truck Night (the massive machinery that makes the mountain tick), S’Mores and Tubing, Kids’ Concert with Todd Wees, Family Ski Racing and Kids Crafts and Game Room in the Village.
PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn in Olympic Valley continues its Winter Winemaker Series Thursday, February 23, 5:30-9:30 p.m., with Bardessono Vineyards. Guests can mingle with the winemaker and enjoy sips by the glass, flight or paired with PlumpJack’s special Chef’s Tasting Menu.
On Saturday, February 25, TransWorld SNOWboarding Magazine will once again host an amateur snowboarding contest at Northstar California as part of the TransWorld SNOWboarding TransAM Series – a six-stop tour hosted by the most progressive park resorts from coast to coast. This is a great spectator event and will host some of the best up and coming riders in the region.
Rideout Community Center on the West Shore hosts its popular 3rd Annual Soup & Chili Showdown Saturday, February 25, 6-8:30 p.m. Guests taste the best in North Lake Tahoe family recipes. This event is great for families.
Alpine Meadows Ski Resorthosts the Ice Bar Grand Opening Saturday, February 25 at noon. This iconic Alpine hotspot is a great place to gather with friends and soak up the sunshine. Grand Opening activities include live on-snow music and inevitable snowball battles.
Jeff McKittrick in the Red Dog area. February 13, 2012. Photo: Hank deVre at Squaw Valley.
North Lake Tahoe ski resorts are reporting up to two feet of new snow which is perfect conditions leading up to President’s Day Weekend. So check out these updates for the weekend and head on up to visit us.
Resorts and Towns’ Update: North Lake Tahoe ski resorts are offering great ski deals. Check out Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadow’sTahoe Super 2, which offers two unrestricted days of skiing and riding at either resort for just $49 per day. This is a limited time offer, available through Friday, February 17.
The Rat Pack is coming home! The Cal Neva Resort & Spa in Crystal Bay, a historic playground for legendary singer and business operator Frank Sinatra and friends, is hosting “The Rat Pack: A Tribute Live from Vegas” Friday, February 17, 8 p.m. Tickets are $27/person the day of the show.
Northstar California is offering its popular First Tracks program Saturday, February 18. Guests meet at 7:30 a.m. with guides accompanying them to the Tahoe Zephyr Express to the top of Backside and Lookout Mountain with runs to themselves before the lifts open to the public. Cost is $80/person and includes a full breakfast. Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance.
The 4th Annual Black Tie & Tails Gala, a benefit for the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe, takes place Saturday, February 18, 5:30-11 p.m., at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe. More than 300 guests are expected and will be greeted with a Hollywood-style red carpet entry. Tickets are $150/person.
PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn in Olympic Valley continues its Winter Winemaker Series Thursday, February 23, 5:30-9:30 p.m., with Bardessono Vineyards. Guests can mingle with the winemaker and enjoy sips by the glass, flight or paired with PlumpJack’s special Chef’s Tasting Menu.
Head to the events calendar for a full list of upcoming events.
The Squeeze In has been pleasing kids since 1974. Kids get toy baskets, get to write on the walls, have a special menu and are treated like actual guests at the Squeeze In home. Order their rockin’ hot cocoa piled high with whipped cream and sprinkles. It’s a winner every time, along with the signature Teddy Bear Pancake! A bear shaped smile for every kid, young and old!
At the Tahoe House, kids feel right at home by the cozy fire, with loaner crayons, colorings books and plastic and wooden toys – all of which keeps them busy as they wolf down their bagel. Family owned and operated since 1977, the Tahoe House Bakery & Gourmet features baked breads and pastries, the “best coffee on the lake,” sandwiches and much more!
Tubing, Sledding, Snow Play!!
Granlilbakken Granlibakken ski area features a groomed snowplay area with rental saucers for sledding. Open daily, weather permitting.
Snowtubing at Squaw Valley USA Squaw’s tubing park at the Papoose Learning Center offers two tubing lanes for varying thrill levels. Open daily, weather permitting.
Sledding and Tubing at Soda Springs Winter Resort Currently only open on weekends, at Soda Springs you can sled and tube! Sledding lanes, tubing lanes and a Little Dipper children’s area provide a variety of thrill and fun for adults and children alike.
Tubing Hill at Northstar-at-Tahoe Northstar-at-Tahoe offers tubing serviced by two separate tow lifts at mid-mountain just above the Gondola.
Right now are perfect conditions to put on those skates and head to one (or all!) of North Lake Tahoe’s ice skating rinks:
Ice Skating Rink at the Village at Northstar Located at the heart of the Village at Northstar, this 9,000 square foot rink is the center of a hubbub of activity, day and night. Rentals, lessons available.
Olympic Ice Pavilion Enjoy scenic views of the Lake while skating atop Squaw Valley on an Olympic-size rink at High Camp recreation complex. Open 11am – 9pm during the winter season. Rentals, lessons available.
Ice Skating Rink at the Resort at Squaw Creek Skate on the Resort at Squaw Creek’s own private rink with heated waterfalls, hot tubs, a pool and the peaks of Squaw Valley as a backdrop. Rentals available. Open December to April.
Truckee Ice Skating Rink The Truckee rink features skate rentals, a snack bar, group and private lessons for all age groups taught by experienced instructors, broomball leagues, and more.
These are just a handful of the family opportunities up in North Lake Tahoe right now. What are your favorite family activities?
There will be three rooms of sound and spectacle for Saturday’s New Year’s Eve revelers at the fifth annual Black and White Super Ball in the Cal Neva Resort at Crystal Bay.
Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. Music begins at 9 p.m. and ends on New Year’s Day morning. 21+
Celebrate all that was in 2011, while ringing in all that will be in 2012 at The Village At Northstar this New Year’s Eve. From 1-9pm, The Village at Northstar will be alive with DJs, ice-skating, food & drink specials, a 2-hour live performance by “Led Zeppelin 2″, and much more. And then… The Big Show: Fireworks Spectacular at 9pm! A great night out for family and friends.
Ring in the New Year at Squaw Valley with a New Year’s Eve Fireworks Extravaganza. The show starts at 9:30pm and is viewable from the Base Area. Grab a hot cocoa and find a seat as you take in the New Year with an amazing firework display at the bottom of the mountain. The show is plenty early accommodate the families that will be ringing in the New Year at High Camp to give them time to get down and celebrate in the base area.
Those looking to bring in the New Year with style can head to the huge party in the Olympic House. Check out the biggest party on the North Shore and party like it’s 2012. Rock out to the 8 piece funk band Mojo Green in the Plaza Bar before heading over to check out DJ Zeb Early in Bar One.
Entry is $10 at the door (cash only) and guests must be 21 & older with a valid ID. Doors open at 9pm. Drink service until 1:30am.
Jackie Greene began performing at the age of 20. He has performing and making records for nearly a decade. He lives in Northern California and is gracing North Lake Tahoe with his musical talent this New Year’s Eve at Crystal Bay Club: the Red Room at the Crystal Bay Club. Tickets cost $20 in advance, $23 day of show.
Plan your new beginning at the Alpine Bar this New Year’s Eve! The Pre-New Year’s Eve Cocktail party is the perfect way to jump-start the countdown to midnight. Featuring festive cocktails, delicious appetizers and live music by Peter Joseph Burtt, skiers and riders can celebrate a resolution, bid 2011 farewell, and ring in 2012.
Ring in the New Year with a top 40 DJ, drinks, and dancing all night long in Cutthroat’s Saloon.
Call 775-832-1234 for more details.
9. Live Music at Tahoe Biltmore Casino, Crystal Bay, NV 10:00 am – 1:00 am
Live on the Tahoe Biltmore, “The Robeys,” Dane RinehartandPaul Covarelli Trioare offering a variety music – a mixture of everyone’s favorite classic rock, oldies, top 40, blues, jazz, reggae and country songs, from the 1930′s to the present.
Come early with family for an Ala Carte Menu (also served in Bar), or come later for a 3-course Prix Fixe menu, and ring in the New Year with party hats, a champagne toast, & dancing. Guaranteed reservations required. For more information and reservations please call (530) 583-0188.
Have a classy blast listening to the DJ in the lounge then Dine on the regular dinner menu from 5:30-7:00pm or opt to enjoy a 5-course meal from 8:00-10:30. Either way you choose, this New Year is going to be fashionably stylish and a lot of fun in the Lone Eagle Grille.
Call 775-886-6899 for more details and reservations.
12. CHILLLLLL
Kick your shoes off, make yourself a hot toddy and chill at home by the fireplace to prep yourself for an epic 2012. Hit the slopes the next day, and the next day and the next day…
So what do you do when Mother Nature doesn’t deliver fresh powder? You make it.
North Lake Tahoe ski resorts are blowing millions of gallons of snow this season, creating a solid base that has most resorts open for some solid skiing and riding.
Northstar-at-Tahoe is open top-to-bottom (that’s 2,280 vertical feet) due to significant improvements in snowmaking – 11 lifts, 19 trails and tons of acres for beginners, intermediates and advanced winter enthusiasts. This North Shore resort currently has the most open ski resort terrain in the Lake Tahoe region, and plans to open Martis Camp Express this Saturday, which will provide access to Lookout Mountain.
Northstar-at-Tahoe’s Pinball Park, which offers a wide variety of jibs and snow features with everything from street rails to boxes along with tabletops, step-downs, hips and rollers, is also open with 31 features available.
Boreal Mountain Resort was the first resort to open in California, opening for business October 28, and also offers top-to-bottom skiing and snowboarding.
Credit by Boreal Mountain Resort
So far, Borealhas blown more than 32 million gallons of snow this season – that’s an all-time record for the resort. It only took over 500 hours with an automated Snow Machines Inc. gun system. It cost $2.5 million over the past three years, but this has actually saved 40% of their snowmaking operation costs annually and reduced carbon output by 300 tons annually.
Diamond Peak Ski Resort(originally Ski Incline) was the first ski resort in the West to have snowmaking, which has come a long way since its opening in 1966. Over the past 11 years, Diamond Peak has continuously upgraded it snowmaking system.
Cold temperatures over the last month have allowed them to produce snow in record amounts and open with top-to-bottom skiing and riding a week earlier than expected. They plan to have five out of six lifts available by Christmas with or without natural snow.
Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe probably wouldn’t have been able to open without snowmaking, but the resort pulled through with the Northwest Magnum lifts and Ponderosa lifts turning 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily accessing the Kit Carson Traverse, Kit Carson Bowl and Ponderosa Trails. Luckily with cooler temperatures this week, the resort was able to operate snow guns practically non-stop and are planning to get the Flying Jenny surface lift and more trails on the Ponderosa lift open by next weekend.
Credit by Sugar Bowl Ski Resort
Sugar Bowl Ski Resort, near Borealon Donner Summit, has taken advantage of the recent cold temperatures running their snow guns 24 hours a day, resulting in the opening of additional terrain at the resort. Starting Saturday, December 17, Sugar Bowl will operate seven days a week. The resort will spin Jerome Hill Express, Nob Hill, Christmas Tree Express and White Pine this coming weekend, providing sufficient terrain for all levels of ability. Sugar Bowl also plans to open the Caboose Terrain Park this weekend, with medium and large features accessible via the Emigrant Gap run.
Seventy feet of snow last winter combined with a massive amount of improvement projects underway and planned for the near future in North Lake Tahoe, has visitors to the area pumped with anticipation of what the 2011/12 season may bring us. And we aren’t just boasting with pride of our mountains. Advance bookings are actually up 35%* compared to the same period in 2010.
This “bounce effect” (although we would like to think we are unique to this spike in numbers; we are indeed labeled and sorted into a category with like others) occurs after a phenomenal snow year. We also refer to this as “FOMO” – a condition of suffering from the “fear of missing out.” Consumers are making lodging arrangements early for this winter based on last year’s banner snow conditions – and we all know that La Niña brought us some epic days on the mountain last year.
But it’s not just the snow bringing our outside friends. There is also $100 million in improvement projects focusing on just our ski region. Between Vail Resorts acquiring Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort and Squaw Valley owners KSL Capital Partners purchasing Alpine Meadows, North Lake Tahoe is seeing both resorts upping their game and enhancing their products. Millions more are soon coming to North Tahoe with proposed redevelopment plans for Homewood Mountain Resort and the historic Crystal Bay casino corridor.
Who wouldn’t want to come see what all the fuss is about? It goes on…
In addition to Vail Resort’s $30 million, which has already been implemented this season, KSL Capital Partners $50 million, five-year capital revitalization commitments and $20 million spread across other Lake Tahoe ski resorts and community projects, JMA Ventures – owners of Homewood Mountain Resort - are one step closer to creating a pedestrian friendly village on the scenic West Shore that would not only help our friends in economic development but would also create another robust playground for our tourists.
The redevelopment plans include a five-star boutique hotel with up to 75 rooms at the resort’s North Base, as well as a full-service restaurant, spa, fitness facility, meeting space and 15,000-square feet of retail space, in addition to underground parking. The first phase of construction is slated for some time between 2014 and 2017, with the second phase beginning and ending between 2018 and 2020.
On the Nevada side of the North Shore, Boulder Bay is also moving forward on approvals for creating a vibrant, cultural village that will transform the existing Tahoe Biltmore casino property in Crystal Bay into an environmentally sustainable, yet affordable wellness resort. Updated plans, revised based on community feedback and input, call for a 275-room hotel with a 10,000 square-foot casino, 59 whole-ownership units, 14 on-site affordable housing units, 10 off-site affordable housing units, a spa and other amenities. Start and completion of construction is to be determined.
So although we threw a bunch of numbers at you, it’s clear that North Lake Tahoe is gearing up for 2012 and securing its seat at the popular table for winter destinations. Are you suffering from FOMO yet?
*North Lake Tahoe’s booking numbers come from the Mountain Travel Research Program, which provides lodging performance benchmarking to mountain resorts throughout the western U.S.
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Dogs love Lake Tahoe. After all, there’s plenty of hiking and swimming to enjoy. And for the more adventurous canine rafting and boating are options as well.
Lake Tahoe loves dogs too. If you stop into the Incline Village Visitors Center or even the Tahoe City Post Office chances are your pooch will be welcomed with a treat.
So how to go about planning a trip to Tahoe with your dog? First find some lodging that offers sleeping quarters for two- and four-legged guests. You can search GoTahoeNorth.com’s accommodations listings by “Pets” to generate a list of canine-cuddly locations.
Here are a few of the doggie favorites in the North Lake Tahoe region:
1. Tahoe Moon Properties, Tahoe City: More than 50 dog-friendly rentals from small cozy cabins to ski-in condos. Properties are equipped with dog baskets that include dog tags with rental home information, dog towels, sheets for covering beds and furniture, a sticky roller for hair removal, dog biscuits and a poop scoop and bags. Tahoe Moon charges a fee of $40/dog that covers additional cleaning.
2. Holiday House, Tahoe Vista: Six-lakefront suites providing panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. The owner “welcomes pets to enjoy our piece of Heaven” and the property is centrally located to all things Tahoe, including beaches and restaurants. Don’t be surprised to see a German shepherd, named Sierra, out on the water on a stand up paddleboard with the property’s owner. There is a $30 flat fee for dogs for up to three days, and $10/night for extended stays.
3. Tahoma Meadows B&B Cottages, West Shore in Tahoma: Winner of the Golden Bone Award for exceptional service from DogFriendly.com. Guests stay in charming red cottages, reminiscent of Lake Tahoe 50 years ago, but with all the amenities that guests expect today. The owners at Tahoma Meadows will also post your dog pictures from Tahoe on their website. A good resource is their Pet Information webpage, titled “Adventures with Your Dog at Tahoe,” which includes places – from beaches to hiking and cross country skiing – to enjoy with your pet. Fees are $20/night per dog.
4. Tahoma Lodge, West Shore in Tahoma: A historic, family-owned property with one and two-bedroom cabins geared for families. Nearby Sugar Pine Point State Park, which offers spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and is home to the notable Hellman-Ehrman Mansion, is perfect for morning jaunts as dogs on leash are invited on the paved trails. Dogs are $10/night.
5. PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, Olympic Valley: Pampers pets with comfy beds, doggie treats, bowls for food and water, a customized PlumpJack guest ID tag, as well as dog-friendly rooms located on the first floor for easy in and out. A $150 fee per room is assessed when you bring your four-legged friend. Nearby Shirley Canyon is a must-hike for dog owners, especially with its many waterfalls that encourage Fido to get wet. And, don’t miss one of the newest additions to the Village at Squaw Valley – Squaw Dogs is a shop featuring food, supplements, life vests, toys, leashes and harnesses that will keep your dog healthy and active for all your adventures.
6. Mother Nature’s Inn, Tahoe City: Decorated with wildlife, nature-themed décor and renovated in 2004 to maintain its classic Tahoe charm, offers dog-friendly rooms that are also budget friendly. The property is centrally located, and guests are literally able to walk everywhere, including to coffee shops, chic clothing boutiques, and restaurants.
7. Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe, mid-mountain at Northstar-At-Tahoe Resort: The five-star luxurious resort also welcomes pets to enjoy the ambience that includes rooms with in-room fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, private walkout balconies and views of Martis Valley. Pet fees are $125 (non-refundable).
8. Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa & Casino, Incline Village: This AAA Four-Diamond resort welcomes you and your pooch, but they must be 25 pounds or lighter. Pets to this stunning locale are charged $50/night.
9. The Rustic Cottages, Tahoe Vista: Nestled on two acres of pine trees these old Tahoe-style cottages include many that are dog-friendly. The historic property was originally the sawmill and labor camp of the Brockway Lumber Company and was converted to vacation cottages in 1925. Pets are $20/night.
10. Cedar House Sport Hotel, Truckee: Baxter Baird, the owner’s adorable border collie, just may be your first greeter and you may recognize him from the hotel’s advertisements. The property offers rooms that are an eclectic mix of contemporary design and functionality with an organic edge geared for relaxed comfort. Dogs are welcomed with special treats, dog beds, and bowls. The dog-loving staff is also a great resource in providing guests with preferred dog venues throughout the area.
Whether you want to believe it or not, we’re getting close to ski and board season in North Lake Tahoe. Resorts have been pulling out all the stops with great deals on season passes for several months already. If you’ve yet to purchase a pass or are still undecided on which resort to head to, here are the details on each resort’s season pass program:
Ski Tahoe North Interchangeable Lift Ticket: Ski Tahoe North’s Interchangeable Lift Ticket is accepted at all seven alpine ski resorts, every single day of the season. Use your ticket at a different resort each day, or find your favorite mountain and return over and over again. You can purchase the interchangeable pass to include 3 to 7 days, with prices ranging from $222 to $518. There are no blackout dates and you get 2-for-1 purchasing power at Diamond Peak. The pass is limited to residents of specific zip codes, so check here to see if you qualify.
Alpine Meadows: If you purchased your Alpine Meadows season pass before September 27 your options included a variety of options from Filtered, Slightly Filtered and Unfiltered as well as a Tripl3Threat College Pass covering Alpine, Homewood and nearby Kirkwood. The September 27 announcement of Alpine’s merge with Squaw Valley USA introduced a new slate of pass options under the Tahoe Super Pass, valid at both Squaw and Alpine. Levels are still based on blackout dates and include: Bronze, from $439 for adults, which has some blackout dates as well as no access all Saturdays in January and February. The Silver Pass gives access any day of the week but includes select blackout dates and is $599 for adults. The Gold Pass has unrestricted access to both mountains any day and is $799 for adults. Purchase passes online hereand get details on previously purchased 2011/12 Alpine Season Passes here.
Diamond Peak: Diamond Peak’s no-nonsense season pass plan offers great rates for visitors along with their famous lake views. Current adult pass rates are $454 valid any day or $363 for Monday through Friday only. Rates are also available for seniors from $150, super seniors from $42, children, youth and college students from $125. If you’re a beginner Diamond Peak may be the place for you with their special $109 Beginner Season Pass, valid for the easier Lodgepole and Schoolhouse lifts. Click for details and to purchase.
Homewood Mountain Resort: Like Diamond Peak, Homewood has amazing views of Lake Tahoe that passholders can’t get enough of. Adult rates are $399, senior is $199, and youth passes are $159 – $259 depending on age. Since this resort is partnered with Alpine Meadows, you can also access the slopes at Alpine and Kirkwood if you purchase the Alpine combo season pass. Click here for details on each option.
Granlibakken: While Granlibakken doesn’t offer season pass rates, their daily passes are just $24 for adults and $14 for children under 12. And yes, that’s the full day rate! They also offer the opportunity to buy out an entire ski hill for private parties and corporate team building for just $750/day. Pretty cool. Check out details here.
Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe: Mt. Rose staked a claim for low-priced season passes more than a decade ago and continues to offer great deals. Their Raw pass has just a few blackout dates and covers all age groups for just $199. To avoid blackouts and have a choice of any day to ski check out the unlimited pass at $377 for adults, $255 for seniors, $199 for 13 – 22 and $133 for children. Get the rates and other passholder perks.
Northstar-At-Tahoe: With Northstar’s addition to the Vail Resorts fold season pass options have really unfolded for this year. You can get just the basic Tahoe Value pass for $379 (adult rate) and gain Sunday – Thursday access to Northstar and nearby Heavenly with limited blackout dates. Or, you can upgrade to one of the Epic Pass options, part of the 7-resort Vail system. The Epic 7-Day offers 7 unrestricted tickets valid at any of the 7 mountains for $499 adult or $249 child. If you plan on skiing more than 7 days, consider either the Epic Local Pass ($249 – $499) which includes 11 blackout dates but is otherwise valid daily at any of the 7 resorts, or the Epic Pass ($329 – $649) which again is valid at all 7 resorts but has no date restrictions. Get the full details to purchase.
Sugar Bowl: Sugar Bowl, similar to other resorts, offers passes based on whether you plan to hit the slopes mid-week or any day. The Midweek Plus Passes are valid Monday through Friday with some blackout dates but offers unrestricted access before Christmas and after March 11. Rates range from $299 – $329 based on age. If you like to head up Sundays, consider the Summit Sunday Pass which is basically the Midweek Pass with Sundays included, just $319 – $429 based on age. For even more access consider Slightly Restricted, offering any day of the week and select blackout dates, or the Unrestricted with access any day. Pass rates are $179 – $529 for Slightly Restricted and $209 – $799 for Unrestricted. Evaluate all of the options here.
Squaw Valley USA: Squaw makes season passes buying easy, and now with the acquisition of nearby Alpine Meadows, offers mountain access at both resorts. If you already purchased a season pass at Squaw (except the Squaw Midweek), then it’s valid at Alpine as well. Otherwise, the options for Squaw passes are the same as those for Alpine under the Tahoe Super Pass. See Alpine Meadows above for details. Then, step onto the medal podium here. (Photo credit: Tom Day)
As always, resorts are offering deals if you purchase early so be sure to check the sites sooner rather than later if you want to snag a great pass deal. Locals often get better rates as well, so if you live nearby, check to see if you qualify. Each resort offers a variety of benefits with their passes, from early powder days to resort discounts, line-jumping, special parties and more. Depending on your slope-style, you’ll want to check out those additional benefits as well as the actual resort terrain when making your decision.
And just what is a super senior? Be warned, they’re the advanced skiers over 70 that can still impress with their slope prowess.
An unusually long winter may have meddled with Tahoe’s legs of the Amgen Tour of California, but cycling events later in the year are sure to dodge those unexpected snow storms. Check out some of the events coming up:
The Lake Tahoe Trail 100K Leadville Qualifier is at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort July 24. Serious mountain bikers will earn one of the 300 coveted starting positions in the 2011 Leadville Trail 100 by riding two 30-mile loops overlooking the Truckee Valley and Lake Tahoe.
Big Blue Adventure has long called Tahoe home with its series of adventure races, triathlons and trail running competitions. Specially for mountain bikers is its Lake Tahoe 4- and 8-Hour Mountain Bike Race June 18 in Tahoe City, where the champion will have made the most laps on a 12-mile course, marked by single track and fire roads.
Cyclists take to the road at the Tahoe Sierra Century Ride September 24, a race starting and finishing in Squaw Valley, which has earned praise for its scenic routes (both 60 and 100-mile available), demanding hill climbs and full-support services.
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